Racial discrimination in the US has been a major problem since colonial period particularly during the eras of slave trade but at the moment it has reduced. This paper discusses the future of racial and ethnicity in the US. Diverse minority races have migrated to the United States throughout its history to interact with the Americans. However, the Americans perceived them different because of their language, cultural practices and appearance.
Ethnicity values among the Native Americans and minority races encouraged expansion of in group loyalty and out group enmity. Hostility was also promoted by colonialism, political dominance and competition for scarce resources but it is worthy to note that prejudicial attitude against the minority varied greatly. The increased number of different race in the US led to changes in attitude; social and economic conditions which greatly affected the immigrants since every race had their own expectations such as retain their cultural practices become US citizens or even get better opportunities to improve their lifestyle back in their homeland.
The increased number of Immigrants into US has contributed to changes in the demographic patterns for instance, according to the Census Bureau there are approximately I million minorities and 400,000 unregistered. In addition the fertility has also increased to 2.1 percent. By 2050 US will constitute many diversity races that will be unified by same cultural beliefs and practices and there is a possibility of them becoming minorities in their own country. In addition, the population characteristic of America is adjusting for instance minority race like the Hispanics (Latin Americans) will be largest in numbers followed by African Americans.
However, the Americans have not yet respected and appreciated the minority races. As a result some of them are crying out against migrations of minorities into their land. Still yet cases of racial and ethnic assimilation are present. But the main question goes, is America ready to deal with this? It begins with a change in attitude towards the minority and teaching the Americans to accept and appreciate others regardless of their racial backgrounds.
In future therefore different races are going to appreciate and understand one another diversity.Prejudice based on race will reduce in the society only when adjustments are incorporated in the society through social capital, transnational and segmented integration. Transnationalism is the continuous relations of individuals/groups and organizations across national frontiers resulting from international migration. This concept is very essential has helped the migrants to maintain cultural ties in both countries and the ability to make contributions to their homeland and new land. Therefore, instead of migrating to US permanently trans-nationalism legalizes the links.
Social capital this is the available resources to individuals or groups to ensure institutionalized ties of identification and approval. Minority races with social capital can use it to acquire support like job opportunities, child support and insurance in foreign land instead of being prejudiced against due to their racial or ethnic backgrounds. Segmented integration this is a concept that calls for immigrants to adapt different techniques to be assimilated in the US society such as education and residence area. This concept will enable them to be respected instead of being biased.
Conclusion
Research shows that the United States is a home for more than three million biracial kids as well as many innumerable grown up Blacks and Whites who also peg on the diverse ethnic pedigree. In a nutshell, multiplicity could help define the ancient times, current and the future of US.
And yet, as the global society develops into a dumpy village the common humanity is enlightening itself. A few decades from now I foresee a scenario where all Americans will be amalgamated by a core civilization, where values are shared with assured principles, the nations idiosyncrasies would comprehend what makes them common and as such embrace the belief of being equals as stipulated by a declaration that was pronounced over two hundred and twenty one years ago by the founding fathers.
References
Vincent Parrillo. Understanding Race and Ethnic Relations 3rd Ed. Chapter 7 pp. 149-182. Copyright 2008, 2005, 2002 Pearson Education, Inc.